Ducks A-Z: Andrew Cogliano

In his first season with the Ducks, Andrew Cogliano proved that he has some value to a team that has its share of holes.

Cogliano played center and both wings, saw a fair amount of time on the penalty kill and bounced in and out of the power-play units. Just how much value is the key question, especially when the Ducks are shelling out a fair amount of coin for the versatile forward.

So far, the ledger sheet still needs more from the five-year veteran to reach a balance. Cogliano will turn 25 next month and should be reaching the peak of his ability so the Ducks hope he can provide more in all the areas described above.

The Ducks can bank on one thing. Cogliano has never missed a game in his five seasons so he'll be available and can be used as they see fit.

2012-13 salary: $2.35 million. Contract status: Signed to a three-year contract through 2014.

What he did: It took Cogliano just two games to find the net for the first time in Anaheim as he finished off a play with rookies Devante Smith-Pelly and Andrew Gordon in the Ducks' win over the New York Rangers in Stockholm. But that was immediately followed by the first of several scoring droughts as he had just one assist over the next 13 games. He had a breakout game Nov. 11 in which he scored and assisted on another goal in a 4-3 home win over Vancouver. His first two-goal game with the Ducks came on Nov. 17 in a 5-3 loss to the Kings. It sparked a four-game spell in which he had three goals and five points. Cogliano scored again on Dec. 2 against Philadelphia but that came in a poor six-game stretch in which he was a minus-10. He broke a nine-game pointless streak with a goal on Dec. 26 at San Jose. On Jan. 31, Cogliano recorded his first NHL hat trick -- a natural one, at that -- Jan. 31 in the Ducks' 4-1 win at Phoenix. It allowed him to tie his goal total from 2010-11 but he would only score twice more over his last 33 contests. The lack of production ultimately dropped him to the fourth line, where he spent the final few weeks of the season. Cogliano played in his 400th consecutive game on March 16 against the Kings and did have a nice moment at the end as he scored his final goal in the Ducks' 3-2 overtime win at Edmonton, where he played his first four NHL seasons.

What could happen in '12-13: Cogliano is versatile but his point total is the lowest since entering the NHL. In fact, the former Michigan Wolverine had fewer points in 2011-12 than assists during his rookie season with the Oilers. It can be argued that the Ducks never really found the right fit for Cogliano or vice versa. He started out as the third-line center but his poor faceoff skills stood out, which necessitated a move to the wing. There were times where he played with Saku Koivu and Teemu Selanne but the unit's lack of size was exploited. His best work ultimately came with youngsters Nick Bonino and either Devante Smith-Pelly or Kyle Palmieri so it figures that so the key might be finding if he can be a scoring option with speed on a third line that can for once be productive. Cogliano is effective enough on the penalty kill so he'll keep earning minutes there and there could be some spot duty on the power play if the regular personnel on the first unit is strugging. But unless there's a dramatic improvement in his ability in the faceoff circle, it is all but certain that he'll be on the wing as Coach Bruce Boudreau stated during last season that he believes Cogliano is more effective there. It is still a long road to becoming the next Todd Marchant with more offensive punch but 15 goals and 35 points along with effective defensive play will put the fleet Toronto native back on that path.

Next over the boards: KYLE CUMISKEY

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